Administration & Finance Committee

APPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE COMMITTEE VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS May 15, 2012 Trustee Scolaro called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of the Village Hall at 6:45 PM. On roll call, present were: Trustees Karagianis and Scolaro; a quorum was present. Also present: Trustees Buehler, and Heller. Call to Order Hear from the Audience There was no response to Trustee Scolaro’s invitation for comments from the audience regarding any matter not on the agenda for this meeting. Discussion of Contributions for FY2012/12 Budget: Assistant to the Village Manager Dan Kaup explained the Board decided to budget the same amount, $163,500, in FY 12/13 as they did in FY 11/12. However this FY more requests for contributions have been received. He stated the two new organizations requesting funds this year are the Women’s Club and the New Foundation Center. Trustee Scolaro then reviewed the organizations requesting funds: Youth Services $62,000 Trustee Scolaro noted Youth Services requested $60,500 last year and $62,000 this year. Trustee Scolaro stated this organization is beneficial to the Village, especially to our Police Department. Trustee Karagianis questioned the reason for requesting additional funds this year. Director of Social Services Nancy Vaccaro stated she could not answer the question and she noted Nancy Bloom was not present to answer the question. Trustee Scolaro stated financially Youth Services seems to be doing very well. Their request for additional funds will be considered at the end of the discussion. The Northbrook 4th of July Association Mr. Kaup stated Sharon Bergstein and Sharon Latek, Chairpersons for the 4th of July Association, are present for any questions. He stated last year the 4th of July Association was given $19,520; this year they are requesting $20,000. Trustee Scolaro questioned the cost for the tent set up for the Pancake breakfast. It was explained that in the past a tent was not rented, the Park District provided it. However the Park District’s tent was destroyed and now the Association has to rent a tent. Trustee Scolaro questioned the decrease in the Civic Foundations’ donation this year and it was explained that historically Civic has donated $5,000. Administration and Finance Committee – Budget Workshop March 15, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Northbrook Historical Society Trustee Scolaro explained last year the Historical Society requested $11,000 and this year they are requesting the same. Trustee Scolaro asked Judy Hughes if the money would be earmarked for anything specific this year. In response Ms. Hughes stated that they are working with a consultant specializing in historical society related preservation. Northbrook Citizens for Drug & alcohol Awareness (NCDAA Mr. Kaup informed the Trustees that Northbrook Citizens for Drug and Alcohol Awareness (NCDAA) has reduced their request from last year. This year they are requesting $10,780 compared to $11,980 last year. There were no questions from the Trustees. Glenbrook North Grad Night Trustee Scolaro noted Glenbrook North Grad Night is requesting $500.00. There were no questions from the Trustees. Northbrook Symphony Mr. Kaup informed the Committee that this year’s Northbrook Symphony request of $5,000 matched the amount they requested from the Village last year. Mr. Nestor Dyhdalo, General Manager, stated the Symphony’s profits were a little lower last year and that one past generous donor did not contribute this year which has contributed to their challenge. The contributions were down. Mr. Dyhdalo noted the Symphony will be holding a “Northbrook Day” concert which will provide free tickets to Northbrook residents who have never attended a concert. Northbrook Woman’s Club Foundation, Inc. Mr. Kaup informed the Trustees this is a new request, noting Kathy Paleczny, Ways and Means Co- Chair, is present for questions about their request for a $500 contribution. Mr. Kaup stated the Foundation has included a list of the organizations they aid. The Board discussed the student scholarships the Women’s Club has provided to the community since 1955. New Foundation Center Mary Gallagher, Development Director, introduced herself. The organization is requesting a contribution of $3,000. She stated the center is 25 years old, located in Northfield and organized by families with members who have psychiatric difficulties. Ms. Gallagher stated they learn to manage their symptoms and learn to live more normal lives. Trustee Karagianis asked how many people from Northbrook have the aided and has the center petitioned other neighboring communities. Ms. Gallagher stated they have petitioned other communities and she listed the others. She stated they are currently assisting 7-10 Northbrook families. Ms. Gallagher explained the Client Assistant Fund, where they typically assist those without insurance coverage; those on Medicaid or whose medications are denied. She indicated that they anticipate they will need cash assistance to get these medications while our case managers address the Administration and Finance Committee – Budget Workshop March 15, 2012 Page 3 of 4 issues. Ms. Gallagher stated the patients’ medications make a big difference on their ability to function. Trustee Buehler questioned the average age of the patients and she responded 46 years old, however the older members are bringing up the average age. Trustee Scolaro reiterated they are assisting 7-10 members from Northbrook and some of the other entities they have requested assistance from include Northfield, New Trier Township; township of Niles and Township of Northfield. Trustee Scolaro asked how much the Village of Northfield has donated and Ms. Gallagher replied $4,000. Planet Promotions - Northbrook Nine Mr. Kaup stated Planet Promotions is requesting the same amount as last year. He stated a couple of people are here to represent them. Trustee Scolaro questioned if the request was $6,000 each year and it was confirmed. Trustee Buehler questioned why this request is coming up as a contribution and not a marketing cost. Trustee Buehler stated that he believed that this was not a contribution and Trustee Karagianis agreed. Further Discussion Trustee Scolaro stated he spoke to President Frum and she stated she was not in favor of approving contributions for the Women’s Club or the Glenview/Northbrook Youth Services and questioned the request from Northbrook Nine. Trustee Scolaro stated the committee is here to review the request for contributions and make a recommendation to the full Board. Trustee Scolaro noted the amount budgeted and noted any money over will need to be transferred. Trustee Karagianis commented he would like to stay within the budget that was approved. He stated he would consider a contribution to the Women’s Club, but questioned if $500 is too low. Trustee Karagianis stated the Northbrook Nine could potentially be funded as a marketing cost. He noted he was in support of providing the full amount to the 4th of July Association and the Youth Services. New Foundation Center is outside of Northbrook and he indicated that he was not in favor of approving their request. Noting that she had arrived to the meeting after her item was discussed, Trustee Buehler asked Nancy Bloom, Director of Glenview/Northbrook Youth Services, why their request went up $2,000. Ms. Bloom explained the State cut back their funding this year which has significantly impacted their budget. Trustee Scolaro stated there are also two other Village initiated programs, Senior Taxi Program and Northbrook Arts Commission that have not been addressed. Trustee Buehler commented on how Youth Services benefits the Village and the State of Illinois’ reduction in funding; the importance of the 4th of July Committee to the community; his appreciation for the NCDAA requesting less funds this year; Northbrook Women’s Club Foundation contributions to the community; his belief that the funding of Northbrook Nine is an operating issue, and that he has never heard of the New Foundation. In fact, he stated he did not recall staff mentioning them in the past and due to this he is not in favor of funding them. Administration and Finance Committee – Budget Workshop March 15, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Trustee Heller stated he did not have much to add. This is a philosophical discussion. He noted the responsibility the Board has with tax payers’ dollars. Trustee Heller noted the Board supports those associated with Northbrook that help residents in trouble and organizations that support the arts. Trustee Heller stated he feels the Northbrook Women’s Club is similar to supporting GBN Grad Night and there are good reasons to give support. Trustee Heller addressed the New Foundation Center, stating he did not feel their request was for a significant amount of money, and felt the Village should give them some funding. Trustee Scolaro stated he felt the Village should carefully consider which requests should be funded. He asked staff to review how to fund Plant Promotions differently and asked New Foundation to come back next year for the Board to review. Executive Session Trustee Karagianis moved, seconded by Trustee Scolaro to go into executive session matters related to personnel at 7:28 pm. On voice vote, all were in favor. Adjourn Trustee Buehler moved, seconded by Trustee Heller, to adjourn. On voice vote, all were in favor. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Debra J. Ford Village Clerk